Petrov wants to prove Houllier wrong

Petrov won his 100th cap for Bulgaria during the recent international break and the achievement was honoured by Villa ahead of Sunday's game with Newcastle.

The midfielder is no longer guaranteed an automatic place in the Villa starting line-up with Houllier signing Jean Makoun in January and giving an extended run to Nigel Reo-Coker. But Petrov was back in the first XI for the first time in more than two months - apart from an FA Cup tie at Manchester City - against the Magpies.

He earned praise after the game from Houllier and is hoping he can have a greater involvement in the finale to the campaign. Petrov told Press Association Sport: "It is difficult when you are not playing, not just because I'm the club captain, but because I love playing.

"It's been a frustrating time and it's not been happening for me. But you just have to deal with it and try and get back in the team.

"It is down to the manager to decide. He makes the decisions and we just need to stick with them. I can only prove him wrong with my game. I feel I have done that. I hope I can keep going now."

Source: PA

Source: PA